Pets bring joy, companionship, and endless entertainment to our homes – but they can also bring lingering smells. Even the cleanest pets leave behind odours that sink deep into soft furnishings like sofas, armchairs, and upholstered beds. If you’ve noticed persistent dog or cat smells clinging to your furniture, you’re not alone. Because upholstery is porous, it traps hair, dander, oils, saliva, and the occasional accident, allowing odours to settle beneath the fabric surface.
The good news? With the right techniques and professional support, you can eliminate pet odours from your upholstery and enjoy a fresh, clean-smelling home again. Here’s how to tackle pet odours effectively and why professional cleaning is often the most reliable solution.
Why Do Pet Odours Linger in Furniture?
Upholstered furniture is designed to be soft and comfortable, but its absorbent materials make it the perfect environment for smells to accumulate. Fabric fibres trap pet dander and oils released through skin and fur, while cushioning underneath absorbs liquids – including the occasional accident. Over time, these odours settle deep within the material, making them difficult to remove with surface cleaning alone.
Pet smells can also become more noticeable in warmer months or when humidity rises, as heat reactivates lingering odour molecules. That’s why sometimes, even after you’ve cleaned your sofa, the smell comes back.
Start with a Thorough Vacuum
The first step to fresher furniture is removing loose debris. Pet hair and dander are usually the main sources of lingering odours. Using a vacuum with an upholstery attachment helps lift hair, dust, and embedded dirt from the fabric surface. Slow, deliberate movements work best, ensuring you reach hidden creases and cushions where odours like to hide.
Regular vacuuming at least once a week can help prevent smells from building up and keep everyday pet mess under control.
Use Natural Deodorisers
Baking soda is a favourite household remedy for odour removal, and for good reason. It naturally absorbs smells without masking them with fragrances. Sprinkle a generous layer over your upholstery, leave it for several hours or ideally overnight, then vacuum it away.
In some cases, you may need to repeat the process for stronger odours. While this method helps reduce surface smells, it won’t fully remove deeper odours caused by urine or long-term build-up. Still, it’s an effective temporary fix between deeper cleans.
Spot Clean Stains Quickly
Accidents happen, especially with younger or elderly pets. When spills or urine accidents occur, fast action is key. Blotting not rubbing removes moisture before it sinks deeper into the fabric. Using a mild upholstery-safe cleaner can help break down proteins that cause odours.
However, once liquids seep into the deeper layers of the cushion, surface cleaning alone won’t prevent long-term smells. That’s where professional help becomes essential.
Why Professional Cleaning Makes a Difference
DIY solutions can help with mild odours, but when smells are embedded into upholstery foam, professional extraction is the most effective option. At Refresh Carpet Cleaning, specialist tools and cleaning solutions target odour-causing bacteria deep beneath the surface.
Professional hot water extraction penetrates the fibres, breaking down organic material that household cleaners miss. This not only removes odours but also leaves your upholstery sanitised, fresher, and more comfortable. In many cases, professional odour removal can help extend your furniture’s lifespan, delaying the need for replacement.
Neutralising Odours vs. Masking Them
Many air fresheners and fabric sprays simply hide odours temporarily. True odour removal requires treatment that targets the bacteria causing the smell. Professional enzymatic cleaners are particularly effective, as they break down the organic compounds pets leave behind, such as proteins in urine and saliva.
Without proper neutralisation, smells often return, especially in warm or humid conditions. That’s why masking odours isn’t enough, they must be removed at the source.
Prevention Tips for Pet Owners
Once your sofa or chairs are fresh again, a little prevention goes a long way. Using washable throws or blankets on your pet’s favourite areas can help protect the upholstery beneath. Regular grooming also reduces shedding and the oils that cause odours. Vacuuming frequently, as well as cleaning paws after outdoor walks, helps limit how much dirt and bacteria make their way onto furniture.
Small changes in routine can dramatically reduce odour build-up – but even with the best habits, fabrics benefit from periodic professional deep cleaning.
Conclusion
Living with pets doesn’t mean accepting lingering odours in your home. With the right maintenance and the support of professional cleaning, you can enjoy fresh, clean furniture no matter how many furry friends you have. From basic vacuuming to specialist deep cleaning, each step plays an important role in keeping upholstery smelling its best.
If your sofa or chairs need a thorough refresh, the experts at Refresh Carpet Cleaning are here to help. Our advanced equipment and specialist products are designed to eliminate pet odours at their source, leaving your home cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming.
Contact Refresh Carpet Cleaning today to learn more or book your professional upholstery clean.
